Flexible and transformable water-cooling device

ABSTRACT

A flexible and transformable water-cooling device includes a liquid reservoir case and a heat exchange unit. The liquid reservoir case is for a cooling liquid to pass therethrough. The liquid reservoir case has a flexible section, which can be flexed. The flexible section has a first end and a second end opposite to each other. A first region outward extends from the first end. The heat exchange unit is disposed in the first region and has multiple radiating fins in contact with the cooling liquid passing through the first region. Due to the flexibility of the flexible section of the water-cooling device, the water-cooling device can be freely flexed and transformed in accordance with an existent space in an electronic device. Therefore, the water-cooling device can be adaptively disposed in the electronic device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a flexible and transformablewater-cooling device, and more particularly to a water-cooling device,which can be freely flexed and transformed in accordance with anexistent space in an electronic device. In addition, the manufacturingcost of the water-cooling device of the present invention is much lowerthan the manufacturing cost of the conventional water-cooling device.

2. Description of the Related Art

When an electronic device works, the CPU or the other processor willgenerate heat. The heat must be quickly and efficiently dissipated.Currently, the most widely used cooling means for the CPU or the otherprocessor is mainly an air-cooling device. The air-cooling deviceemploys a heat sink and cooling fan as the heat dissipation means.Another type of cooling device that utilizes a cooling liquid to coolthe CPU or the other processor has been developed, for example, acooling system for heat generation component. The cooling systemincludes a double-faced base seat for receiving a pump to circulate acooling liquid. The pump includes a stator and an impeller. The impelleris disposed on the bottom side of the base seat. The stator is disposedto the top side of the base seat and isolated from the cooling liquid. Acooling system further includes a liquid reservoir chamber for thecooling liquid to pass therethrough. The liquid reservoir includes apump chamber formed on lower side of the base seat, in which theimpeller is disposed. At least one impeller cover body defines the pumpchamber. The impeller cover body has one or more flow passages for thecooling liquid to pass through. A heat exchange chamber is formed underthe pump chamber and perpendicularly separated from the pump chamber.The pump chamber and the heat exchange chamber are separate chambers andcommunicate with each other through one or more passages. A heatexchange interface is formed on one side of the heat exchange chamber incontact with a heat generation component. A heat sink is connected tothe liquid reservoir chamber. The cooling liquid serves to carry awaythe heat of the heat sink. Also, an electronic device with a pumpincludes a liquid reservoir case having a heat generation component. Aheat dissipation section serves to dissipate the heat generated by theheat generation component. The electronic device further includes a pumpunit having an impeller and a heat absorption section thermallyconnected to the heat generation component. The impeller of the pumpunit rotates to supply cooling liquid to the heat dissipation section.The cooling liquid circulates in a circulation path between the heatabsorption section and the heat dissipation section, whereby the heatgenerated by the heat generation component can be transferred to theheat dissipation section via the cooling liquid. The center of theimpeller of the pump unit and the center of the heat generationcomponent are separately disposed. In the conventional water-coolingsystem, the liquid reservoir case and the pump unit are separatecomponents. In addition, the relevant components must be respectivelyassembled. This will lead to trouble in assembling process anddifficulty in installation/uninstallation. Moreover, in the conventionalwater-cooling system, the liquid reservoir case and the pump unit areseparate components so that the manufacturing cost is increased.

It is therefore tried by the applicant to provide a flexible andtransformable water-cooling device to solve the above problems of theconventional water-cooling system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide aflexible and transformable water-cooling device, which can be freelyflexed and transformed in accordance with an existent space in anelectronic device.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide the aboveflexible and transformable water-cooling device, which is easy toassemble.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide theabove flexible and transformable water-cooling device, the manufacturingcost of which is much lower than the manufacturing cost of theconventional water-cooling device.

To achieve the above and other objects, the flexible and transformablewater-cooling device of the present invention includes a liquidreservoir case and a heat exchange unit. The liquid reservoir case isfor a cooling liquid to pass therethrough. The liquid reservoir case hasa flexible section, which can be flexed. The flexible section has afirst end and a second end opposite to each other. A first regionextends from the first end. The heat exchange unit is disposed at thefirst region and has multiple radiating fins in contact with the coolingliquid passing through the first region.

According to the above structure, due to the flexibility of the flexiblesection of the liquid reservoir case, the water-cooling device can befreely flexed and transformed in accordance with an existent space in anelectronic device. Moreover, the liquid reservoir case is integrallyformed so that the shortcoming of the conventional water-cooling devicethat the relevant components must be respectively troublesomelyassembled is eliminated. Therefore, the manufacturing cost is lowered.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The structure and the technical means adopted by the present inventionto achieve the above and other objects can be best understood byreferring to the following detailed description of the preferredembodiments and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1A is a perspective assembled view of a first embodiment of theflexible and transformable water-cooling device of the presentinvention;

FIG. 1B is a side sectional view of the first embodiment of the flexibleand transformable water-cooling device of the present invention;

FIG. 1C is a top sectional view of the first embodiment of the flexibleand transformable water-cooling device of the present invention;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the flexibleand transformable water-cooling device of the present invention in aflexed state;

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the flexibleand transformable water-cooling device of the present invention in afolded state;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the flexible andtransformable water-cooling device of the present invention in a foldedstate;

FIG. 4A is a perspective exploded view of a third embodiment of theflexible and transformable water-cooling device of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4B is a perspective assembled view of the third embodiment of theflexible and transformable water-cooling device of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4C is a top sectional view of the third embodiment of the flexibleand transformable water-cooling device of the present invention;

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the third embodiment of the flexibleand transformable water-cooling device of the present invention in aflexible state;

FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the third embodiment of the flexibleand transformable water-cooling device of the present invention in afolded state; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the flexible andtransformable water-cooling device of the present invention in a foldedstate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Please refer to FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C. FIG. 1A is a perspective assembledview of a first embodiment of the flexible and transformablewater-cooling device of the present invention. FIG. 1B is a sidesectional view of the first embodiment of the flexible and transformablewater-cooling device of the present invention. FIG. 1C is a topsectional view of the first embodiment of the flexible and transformablewater-cooling device of the present invention. According to the firstembodiment, the flexible and transformable water-cooling device 1 of thepresent invention includes a liquid reservoir case 10 and a heatexchange unit 2. The liquid reservoir case 10 has a flexible section101, which can be flexed. The flexible section 101 has a first end 1011and a second end 1012 opposite to each other. A first region 102 outwardextends from the first end 1011. A receiving space (not shown) isdisposed in the liquid reservoir case 10 for a cooling liquid 3 to passtherethrough. One side of the heat exchange unit 2 has multipleradiating fins 21. The radiating fins 21 are positioned in the receivingspace of the first region 102 for contacting the cooling liquid 3passing through the first region 102.

The liquid reservoir case 10 is formed with an opening 104 in a positionwhere the heat exchange unit 2 is positioned. The other side of the heatexchange unit 2 has a heat contact face 22 for contacting a heat sourcesuch as a central processing unit or graphics processing unit (notshown).

In this embodiment, a second region 103 extends from the second end 1012of the flexible section 101. The first and second regions 102, 103 andthe flexible section 101 are integrally formed. A pump unit 42 isdisposed at the second region 103 and has a driver 43. The driver 43 isimmerged in the cooling liquid 3 for driving the cooling liquid 3 in theliquid reservoir case 10 to pass through the flexible section and thefirst and second regions 102, 103. The first region 102 defines a heatexchange chamber 6, while the second region 103 defines a pump chamber7. The flexible section 101 has a passage 8 in communication with thepump chamber 7 and the heat exchange chamber 6.

Please now also refer to FIGS. 2A and 2B. FIG. 2A is a perspective viewof the first embodiment of the flexible and transformable water-coolingdevice of the present invention in a flexed state. FIG. 2B is aperspective view of the first embodiment of the flexible andtransformable water-cooling device of the present invention in a foldedstate. The heat exchange chamber 6 has an outlet 61 and the pump chamber7 has an inlet 71. The passage 8 communicates with the outlet 61 and theinlet 71. When the driver 43 rotates, the cooling liquid 3 in the pumpchamber 7 is disturbed and urged to flow to the passage 8. Then thecooling liquid 3 flows from the passage 8 to the heat exchange chamber6. At this time, the heat generated by the heat source (not shown) incontact with the heat contact face 22 is conducted to the radiating fins21 of the heat exchange chamber 6. After heat exchange takes placebetween the cooling liquid 3 and the radiating fins 21, the coolingliquid 3 carries the heat of the radiating fins 21 away and flows outfrom the outlet 61 so as to achieve heat dissipation effect.

The flexible section 101 of the liquid reservoir case 10 can be flexedso that the first and second regions 102, 103 can be bent about theflexible section 101 from a horizontal parallel position to a verticaloverlapping position. A mating section 91 is formed near rear end edgeof the first region 102 and a connection section 92 is formed on thesecond region 103 in a position corresponding to the mating section 91.In this embodiment, the mating section 91 and the connection section 92are magnetic members, whereby the mating section 91 and the connectionsection 92 can be connected with each other by means of magneticattraction force. When the second region 103 is folded onto the firstregion 102 about the flexible section 101, the mating section 91 and theconnection section 92 are connected with each other to keep thewater-cooling device 1 in a folded state. Due to the flexibility of theflexible section 101, the water-cooling device 1 can be freely flexedand transformed. The liquid reservoir case 10 is integrally formed sothat the shortcoming of the conventional water-cooling device that therelevant components must be respectively troublesomely assembled iseliminated. Therefore, the manufacturing cost is lowered.

Please refer to FIG. 3, which is a perspective view of a secondembodiment of the flexible and transformable water-cooling device of thepresent invention in a folded state. The second embodiment is partiallyidentical to the first embodiment in structure, component andrelationship between components and thus will not be repeatedlydescribed hereinafter. The second embodiment is mainly different fromthe first embodiment in that the mating section 91 and the connectionsection 92 are connected with each other via a connection member 93.When the second region 103 is folded onto the first region 102 about theflexible section 101, the mating section 91 and the connection section92 are connected with each other via the connection member 93 to keepthe water-cooling device 1 in a folded state. Due to the flexibility ofthe flexible section 101, the water-cooling device 1 can be freelyflexed and transformed. The liquid reservoir case 10 is integrallyformed so that the shortcoming of the conventional water-cooling devicethat the relevant components must be respectively troublesomelyassembled is eliminated. Therefore, the manufacturing cost is lowered.

Please refer to FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C. FIG. 4A is a perspective explodedview of a third embodiment of the flexible and transformablewater-cooling device of the present invention. FIG. 4B is a perspectiveassembled view of the third embodiment of the flexible and transformablewater-cooling device of the present invention. FIG. 4C is a topsectional view of the third embodiment of the flexible and transformablewater-cooling device of the present invention. The third embodiment ispartially identical to the first embodiment in structure, component andrelationship between components and thus will not be repeatedlydescribed hereinafter. The third embodiment is mainly different from thefirst embodiment in that the second end 1012 of the flexible section 101is connected with a pump case 4 in which a pump unit 44 is received. Thepump unit 44 has a driver 45 immerged in the cooling liquid 3 fordriving the cooling liquid 3 in the liquid reservoir case 10 to passthrough the flexible section 101, the first region 102 and the pump case4. The first region 102 defines a heat exchange chamber 6, while thepump case 4 defines a pump chamber 70. The flexible section 101 has apassage 80 in communication with the pump chamber 70 and the heatexchange chamber 6.

The heat exchange chamber 6 has an outlet 61 and the pump chamber 70 hasan inlet 72. The passage 80 communicates with the outlet 61 and theinlet 72. When the driver 45 rotates, the cooling liquid 3 in the pumpchamber 70 is disturbed and urged to flow to the passage 80. Then thecooling liquid 3 flows from the passage 80 to the heat exchange chamber6. At this time, the heat generated by the heat source (not shown) incontact with the heat contact face 22 is conducted to the radiating fins21 of the heat exchange chamber 6. After heat exchange takes placebetween the cooling liquid 3 and the radiating fins 21, the coolingliquid 3 carries the heat of the radiating fins 21 away and flows outfrom the outlet 61 so as to achieve heat dissipation effect.

Please refer to FIGS. 5A and 5B as well as FIG. 4B. FIG. 5A is aperspective view of the third embodiment of the flexible andtransformable water-cooling device of the present invention in aflexible state. FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the third embodiment ofthe flexible and transformable water-cooling device of the presentinvention in a folded state. The flexible section 101 of the liquidreservoir case 10 can be flexed so that the first region 102 and thepump case 4 can be bent about the flexible section 101 from a horizontalparallel position to a vertical overlapping position. A mating section91 is formed on the first region 102 and a connection section 94 isdisposed on the pump case 4 in a position corresponding to the matingsection 91. In this embodiment, the mating section 91 and the connectionsection 94 are magnetic members, whereby the mating section 91 and theconnection section 94 can be connected with each other by means ofmagnetic attraction force. When the pump case 4 is folded onto the firstregion 102 about the flexible section 101, the mating section 91 and theconnection section 94 are connected with each other to keep thewater-cooling device 1 in a folded state. Due to the flexibility of theflexible section 101, the water-cooling device 1 can be freely flexedand transformed.

Please refer to FIG. 6, which is a perspective view of a fourthembodiment of the flexible and transformable water-cooling device of thepresent invention in a folded state. The fourth embodiment is partiallyidentical to the first embodiment in structure, component andrelationship between components and thus will not be repeatedlydescribed hereinafter. The fourth embodiment is mainly different fromthe first embodiment in that the mating section 91 and the connectionsection 94 are connected with each other via a connection member 95.When the pump case 4 is folded onto the first region 102 about theflexible section 101, the mating section 91 and the connection section94 are connected with each other via the connection member 95 to keepthe water-cooling device 1 in a folded state. Due to the flexibility ofthe flexible section 101, the water-cooling device 1 can be freelyflexed and transformed.

In comparison with the conventional water-cooling device, the presentinvention has the following advantages:

-   -   1. The water-cooling device of the present invention is flexible        and transformable.    -   2. The water-cooling device of the present invention is easy to        assemble.    -   3. The manufacturing cost of the water-cooling device of the        present invention is much lower than the manufacturing cost of        the conventional water-cooling device.

The present invention has been described with the above embodimentsthereof and it is understood that many changes and modifications in theabove embodiments can be carried out without departing from the scopeand the spirit of the invention that is intended to be limited only bythe appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A flexible and transformable water-cooling devicecomprising: a liquid reservoir case for a cooling liquid to passtherethrough, the liquid reservoir case having a flexible section, whichcan be flexed, the flexible section having a first end and a second endopposite to each other, a first region extending from the first end; anda heat exchange unit disposed at the first region, one side of the heatexchange unit having multiple radiating fins in contact with the coolingliquid passing through the first region.
 2. The flexible andtransformable water-cooling device as claimed in claim 1, wherein asecond region extends from the second end of the flexible section, thefirst and second regions being bendable about the flexible section froma horizontal parallel position to a vertical overlapping position, apump unit being disposed at the second region and having a driver, thedriver being immerged in the cooling liquid for driving the coolingliquid in the liquid reservoir case to pass through the flexible sectionand the first and second regions.
 3. The flexible and transformablewater-cooling device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second end ofthe flexible section is connected with a pump case in which a pump unitis received, the first region and the pump case being bendable about theflexible section from a horizontal parallel position to a verticaloverlapping position, the pump unit having a driver immerged in thecooling liquid for driving the cooling liquid in the liquid reservoircase to pass through the flexible section, the first region and the pumpcase.
 4. The flexible and transformable water-cooling device as claimedin claim 1, wherein the liquid reservoir case is formed with an openingin a position where the heat exchange unit is positioned, the other sideof the heat exchange unit having a heat contact face for contacting aheat source.
 5. The flexible and transformable water-cooling device asclaimed in claim 2, wherein the first region defines a heat exchangechamber, while the second region defines a pump chamber.
 6. The flexibleand transformable water-cooling device as claimed in claim 3, whereinthe first region defines a heat exchange chamber, while the pump casedefines a pump chamber.
 7. The flexible and transformable water-coolingdevice as claimed in claim 5, wherein the flexible section has a passagein communication with the pump chamber and the heat exchange chamber. 8.The flexible and transformable water-cooling device as claimed in claim6, wherein the flexible section has a passage in communication with thepump chamber and the heat exchange chamber.
 9. The flexible andtransformable water-cooling device as claimed in claim 7, wherein theheat exchange chamber has an outlet and the pump chamber has an inlet,the passage communicating with the outlet and the inlet.
 10. Theflexible and transformable water-cooling device as claimed in claim 8,wherein the heat exchange chamber has an outlet and the pump chamber hasan inlet, the passage communicating with the outlet and the inlet. 11.The flexible and transformable water-cooling device as claimed in claim9, wherein a mating section is disposed on the first region and aconnection section is disposed on the second region, the mating sectionand the connection section being connectable with each other to keep thefirst and second regions in a folded state.
 12. The flexible andtransformable water-cooling device as claimed in claim 10, wherein amating section is disposed on the first region and a connection sectionis disposed on the second region, the mating section and the connectionsection being connectable with each other to keep the first and secondregions in a folded state.
 13. The flexible and transformablewater-cooling device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the mating sectionand the connection section are connectable with each other via aconnection member.
 14. The flexible and transformable water-coolingdevice as claimed in claim 12, wherein the mating section and theconnection section are connectable with each other via a connectionmember.